Leader of the Few, Basil Collier — 1st Edition

£78.00

Leader of the Few, Basil Collier — 1st Edition

Name: Leader of the Few, Basil Collier — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 5487
Price: 78.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Jarrolds, 1957

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 264.

Condition Report: Very Good. The publisher's original blue cloth binding remains firm, tight, and square, showing no significant shelf-wear. The page block exhibits moderate foxing and age-toning, primarily along the top and fore-edges, though internally the leaves remain predominantly clean and bright. The original dust jacket remains entirely intact but shows some light rubbing and minor crinkling to the extremities, most notably at the head of the spine and the top edge of the front panel. The rear panel, being predominantly white, displays some minor dust-soiling and faint spotting commensurate with its age. The jacket is now preserved in a protective, removable clear sleeve.

Catalogue Note: This is a true First Edition, with "First published 1957" correctly stated on the copyright page.

The volume is illustrated with a striking frontispiece portrait of Lord Dowding, alongside several further black-and-white plates throughout the text. The book bears no previous ownership inscriptions, bookplates, or noteworthy provenance marks.

It is becoming increasingly uncommon to find copies that retain their original dust jackets in such well-preserved, highly collectable condition.

Leader of the Few stands as the definitive, authorised biography of Air Chief Marshal the Lord Dowding, the brilliant yet often controversial architect behind Britain’s aerial defence strategy during the Second World War. Basil Collier offers a compelling, meticulously researched account of Dowding's life and military career, focusing deeply on his pivotal leadership of RAF Fighter Command. It is an essential historical portrait of the man who orchestrated the victory of 'The Few' and fundamentally shifted the course of the Battle of Britain.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Basil Collier

Book Publisher: Jarrolds

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Autobiography, Biography & Memoirs

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 264

Book Publication Year: 1957

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator:

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.